How can you help?
Let me assume you have been active in the political process. Let me assume you have volunteered or donated or at least gotten into some heated discussions during this political season. Let me assume you have either sign-waved for your favorite candidate or at least seen some candidates sign waving. Let me assume you voted.
The votes have been cast, and the direction of our county and state have been set. You have been a part of that process. You are either ecstatic and motivated or disillusioned and searching for hope. Or … you are both or somewhere in between.
The question is: Now what? What fight or cause or event do you attend next? Whose social media posts do you comment on and about what?
The answer is this: You take a break. You engage in self care. Get a massage, sleep in, binge watch your favorite show, sit at your favorite beach, eat a good meal without staring at your handheld computer, take a yoga class at the park, read a good book, go for a jog, turn off your phone, talk story with a friend you have been neglecting for months, visit Waipio Valley, stare at the stars while laying in a blanket at Pu‘uhonua O Honaunau, take a nap, etc.
You might ask how is sitting back and relaxing helping anyone? The answer is that if you don’t take care of yourself, you will burn out and be useless to everyone and everything you care about.
Anyone who has been on an airplane has heard the flight attendants discuss putting on your own oxygen mask before helping another. As counterintuitive as it sounds and feels, it is necessary. I don’t know about you, but when I am in burnout mode, not only do I get physically ill, but my fuse becomes very short and I take my frustrations out on those who I love.
You want to save the world? Put your own oxygen mask on first.
So I ask you now: How will you take care of yourself now that primary season is over?
Zahava Zaidoff
Captain Cook
Helicopter meeting
I was at Tuesday’s community meeting of the Federal Aviation Administration regarding helicopter noise.
During the introductions, it was announced that a roundtable committee will be formed.
I suggested the community be equally represented and that there be a limited time for a solution, otherwise take it to the courts.
Also, I think the Hawaii Helicopter Association should NOT be a roundtable member. They have lost ALL TRUST of the community. The results would be dictated to them as a “charter” for their new business model.
John Begg
Pahoa